The National Medical Task Force for combatting the Coronavirus (COVID-19), headed by HE Lieutenant-General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health, discussed COVID-19 precautionary measures, at a periodic meeting.
HE Lt. General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed praised the efforts of healthcare personnel and first responders, and thanked residents for their efforts enacting all preventative measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
The Taskforce reviewed case statistics, which revealed a low 0.2% average rate of positive cases among incoming travellers who have conducted an exit swab after completing their 10-day quarantine period between 1 July 2020 and 16 August 2020.
Following consideration of a COVID-19 periodic revision report submitted by the Taskforce, the Government Executive Committee, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister approved the following measures, effective from 20 August 2020:
- Compulsory COVID-19 PCR testing for all passengers arriving into Bahrain International Airport will remain intact
- All incoming travellers are required to pay the cost of two COVID-19 tests, an arrival test, and a test to be conducted after their stay in Bahrain for 10 days, at a total of BHD 60.
- All incoming passengers are required to download and activate the ‘BeAware Bahrain’ application
- The compulsory 10-day quarantine will be lifted for all incoming passengers who test negative, following their test upon arrival in Bahrain and being informed of the result
- All incoming passengers must sign a declaration stating that they will follow the Ministry of Health’s self-isolating regulations until their COVID-19 test carried out upon arrival in Bahrain is confirmed negative
- Citizens and residents, as well as travellers staying for a duration longer than 10 days, must test again on the 10th day of their arrival
- Travellers who test positive upon arrival will be contacted on the information provided to health authorities as they were tested
- These decisions will be reviewed and amended as required to safeguard the health and well-being of all citizens and residents.